Christy Knowings, 1980 – 2026

Actress, singer, and MTV host Christy Knowings, 46, died after an asthma attack on Aug. 11. Knowings—the twin sister of actor Chris Knowings—was a member of the rock band The People when she was tapped to host the MTV sketch comedy show All That, from 1997-2002. She also acted on TV in New York Undercover and Sesame Street, and performed as a hip-hop artist. She told the Occhi website, “Music has always called out to me in a pretty massive way. One day, when I was barely in elementary school, my voice just . . . emerged. The music my mother listened to sort of tuned my ear to great music and incredible vocals. It’s really important for me to write my own music. My creative impulse is strong, and self-expression is a major part of who I am. Writing my own music is also paramount because of the profound gratification I receive from governing the energy I put out. The statement I’m making is my own.”